Junior Crew

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hi Everyone,As you can see my class based blogging has not taken off for 2010 in spite of my best intentions. I have been 'flat out' travelling around Victoria, working with teachers and their students on the Autism Spectrum.When at my base school, I have been busy mentoring teachers new to Special Education.Perhaps life will settle down to some sort of routine which will allow me to blog regularly about the children that light up my life. Until then please visit Jill's class in Room 14. You will find a link to their blog in the left margin.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Hi Everyone,We have have been back at school for a week now and everyone is settling in beautifully. As soon as we have all of our blogging permission forms signed for this year, we can begin posting again.We should be ready to start next week.See you then.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The school holidays are almost over.In one week we will all be back at school again!Now is a great time to check if your uniform and school shoes still fit.I bet they don't!Have you cleaned out your school bag?I hope that you won't find a mouldy lunch from last year in there!It's time to start going to sleep at your regular bedtime so your body gets used to getting up early again.Enjoy your last week of holidays.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Junior Crew kids will be in new classes this year and I will be taking up a new part time role ( 3 days a week) as a teaching and learning coach working for teachers working with students on the Autism Spectrum,and a school based role for 2 days which is still in the design stage. I will also be part of the Positive Partnerships Victorian training team . I am going to be very busy.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Junior Crew would like to pass on an enormous thank you to Stephen and Trish's classes for giving us a Christmas present of cash to spend on lunch at Mc Donald's!

The Middle years group have raised money all year preparing lunch orders for the whole school and decided to give their profits away to every class in the school.

It was very generous and kind of you and extremely delicious for us!

Thanks also go to Jan and Marg's classes. This group of dedicated young cooks have prepared the most fantastic spreads of hot and cold foods for staff to devour at our whole staff meetings each fortnight. Well done guys!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Junior Crew have gone PowerPoint crazy! Over the past two weeks we have learned how to copy and paste pictures, type in text, create special effects and even insert sound files. I am amazed at how quickly the kids have developedtheir skills using this program and how well they have made connections and transferred these skills to other applications.

I was also pleased to discover that our Friends in Siberia have received the package of books and music that we sent to them a few weeks ago. One of the best things about blogging is how it helps us to connect with new Friends from all around the world. If you would like to read their post about our package click on the hyperlink or on the puzzle pieces.

This week I received an email from Jim Spiralis from the Department of Education and Children's service, Special Education Resource Unit in South Australia. Jim wanted to let us know that our network of blogs has been cited as a special education resource for teachers in that state. Jim also invited me to present at the Special Education EXPO in Hindmarsh South Australia in July next year. I am so excited!

As most of you know, this year I have been completing post graduate studies in Autism Spectrum Disorder. My last lecture was on Saturday. I have made some very special connections with lecturers and teachers who have shared the journey with me which I hope will continue for years to come.

The course has meant that I have had to spend a considerable time away from The Junior Crew this year while I have been completing practicum placements and visiting other schools to provide mentoring and coaching services. While I have been away the children have been learning how to connect with some amazing casual relief teachers and learning how to cope with change. I am so grateful to this group of talented and caring people who have treated my class as if they were their own.

About Me

I am a special education teacher and autism teaching and learning coach, working in mainstream and special education settings in the Hume Region in Victoria Australia.
I am passionate about providing all children with the opportunity to lead enviable lives.
My goal is to share what ever I know about evidence based, best practice strategies and resources that promote positive and inclusive school environments.
I'd really like to read your thoughts too so feel free to leave a comment when you visit.